Summary
There is a long list of decorated, popular, and commercially successful actresses in their 40s and yet, due in part to Hollywood, fan expectations, and cultural assumptions about women, these actresses don’t always get the recognition or respect they deserve.It’s not a new issue that Hollywood (and as is not always discussed, the viewership) doesn’t care as much about middle-aged actors, specifically women.While older male actors can essentially play any part they want, actresses get to a certain age and suddenly, they can’t even play characters who are their actual age without criticism.
TakeThe Idea of Youwith Anne Hathaway. She’s a 40-something actress playing a desirable 40-something character, but the reaction to her character online would have people think Hathaway is 85. It’s expected that 46-year-old Ryan Reynolds can be a sex symbol and action star and have younger romantic co-leads, but having the 41-year-old Hathaway as a dating single woman, and audiences are shocked.There are plenty of actresses in their 40s who deserve more recognition, and just a look at their filmographies and award histories should be enough to convince viewers of such.
10 Best Actress Oscar Winners Of The 1990s, Ranked
These talented actors won an Academy Award for their impressive performances in the 1990s, but whose performance was the best of the decade?
1994
6
0
10
2
Amy Adams shot to fame in 2005 with her Academy Award-nominated role inJunebugas Ashley Johnsten, which quickly led to her starring role inEnchantedas the Disney princess, Giselle.She has since earned six Academy Award nominationsand2024 may prove to be Amy Adams' most impressive yearyet with two movies and a TIFF award.
Amy Adams is tied with Deborah Kerr and Thelma Ritter as the actresses with the second most Oscar nominations with no wins. Glenn Close is first, with eight nominations.
2003
8
5
3
Uzo Aduba came to prominence as Suzanne “Crazy Eyes” Warren inOrange is the New Black,a role that sawher quickly jump from recurring cast member to main cast memberand earn two Emmy wins and two Golden Globe nominations. She’s since gone on to voice Alisha Hawthorne inLightyearand play Dr. Brooke Taylor inIn Treatment. Aduba is set to star in the Netflix mystery dramaThe Residenceas Cordelia Cupp and the August 2024 filmThe Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eatas Clarice Baker.
1992
1
Jessica Alba has had a long, winding career, butafter playing Sue Storm inFantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, she nearly left the business.She got her start at 13-years-old starring in shows likeFlipperandDark Angel, the latter of which she received a Golden Globe for. AfterFantastic Four, her only really notable role was in theSin Cityfranchise as Nancy Callahan. Thankfully, she hasn’t left the business and continues working steadily, as 2024 saw her star in the action thrillerTrigger Warning.
1976
Drew Barrymore began her career as a child star, with a breakout role as Gertie inE.T.at only 7 years old.She then went on to become one of the most prolific actresses in Hollywood, appearing in over 80 roles over her career, includingScreamas Casey Becker andSanta Clarita Dietas Sheila Hammond. Barrymore’s talk show,The Drew Barrymore Show, has proven to be enduring, as has her business ventures into fashion with a Dear Drew clothing line and winemaking.
Drew is a member of the famed Barrymore acting family, which includes acting legends like John Barrymore and Dolores Costello, as well as matinee idol John Drew Jr.
2002
Most fans' first introduction to Stephanie Beatriz came inBrooklyn Nine-Nineas Detective Rosa, butBeatriz has done plenty movies and showssince then.She’s proven herself a capable voice actor, starring inEncantoas Mirabel Madrigaland voicing characters inThe Legend of Vox Machina,Big Mouth, andDogs in Space. In live-action, Beatriz has a memorable performance inIn the Heightsas Carla and in the ongoingTwisted Metalseries as Quiet.
Kristen Bell began her career in typical dramatic fashion, playing small roles in dramas before landingthe titular part onVeronica Marsand rocketing into stardom.Gossip Girlcame soon after, but very quickly, it became apparent Bell’s real talent late in comedy. Parts inForgetting Sarah Marshall,House of Lies,theBad Momsuniverse, andThe Good Placehave positioned Bell as a female comedy lead. She’s also set to star in the upcoming Netflix comedy seriesNobody Wants Thisas Joanne.
Rose Byrne may have the most range out of any working actor currently. She came to the attention of most viewers with her Emmy and Golden Globe-nominated performance as Ellen Parsons in the legal thriller seriesDamages, but she did not solely stay in the dramatic lane. She can do action with the prequelX-Menfranchise, horror withInsidious, and comedy withNeighbors. Byrne currently stars in the comedy showPlatonicalongside Seth Rogen andthere’s rarely been a year without her appearing in a movie or show since she began her career.
10 Harsh Realities Of Rewatching Fox’s X-Men Prequel Series Ahead of The MCU Reboot
Rewatching the X-Men prequels reveals some unfortunate aspects that should be remembered before the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s X-Men project.
1998
Never one to shy away from difficult and grueling roles, Jessica Chastain has had exceptional performances in harrowing dramas and thrillers since her career began. Particularlyin her breakout year of 2012, where she appeared in major roles in six movies, includingThe Tree of LifeandThe Help.Zero Dark Thirty,Interstellar,It Chapter 2,The Good Nurse, and more came later, along with numerous accolades. Chastain is set to star in the upcoming seriesThe Savantand the upcoming filmDreams.
2006
After working in the theater,Carrie Coon broke into Hollywood later in her career when she appeared inGone Girlas Margo Dunne andThe Leftoversas Nora Durstin the same year, 2014. She went on to play Proxima Midnight, amember of Thanos' Black Order in the MCU, and Callie Spengler in the rebootedGhostbustersfranchise. On television, she has main roles inFargoseason 3,The Sinner, and the ongoingThe Gilded Age. Coon will also appear in the third installment ofThe White Lotus, set for 2025.
Haunted Mansion(2023)
Gabbie
Rosario Dawson was a teen when she began her career with the 1995 filmKidsas Ruby and has worked steadily since, only increasing her cultural impact. She later went on to appear inMen in Black IIas Laura Vasquez andClerks IIas Becky Scott.The mid-2010s would see a career resurgence for Dawson, who played Claire Temple in five different Marvel showsand recently appeared inAhsokaas the titular Jedi. She’s also set to star in the upcoming thrillerSpeed of Lightas Vanessa Trace.
